Brace for step-ladders



(No Model.)

J. T. MILLER.

BRAGE FOR STEP LADDERS.

Patented Apr. 30, 1895.

J72 z/ezzforx (75in .TLMZZ/r,

NITED STATES PATENT Grrrcn.

JOHN T. MILLER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BRACE FOR STEP-LADDERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 538,531, dated April30, 1895.

Application filed March 9,1895. Serial No. 541| (N0 model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN T. MILLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Braces forStep-Ladders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to means for bracing the side rails, and thesteps of ladders, so as to strengthen the same, against lateralmovement; and the present improvement has for its object, to provide asimple, cheap and efficient brace for such purpose, and which is adaptedto be driven, initially, into place, and subsequently tied by a crosspin or nail, as will hereinafter more fully appear, and be moreparticularly pointed out in the claims. I attain such objects, by theconstruction and arrangement of parts, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of astep-ladder, illustrating my present invention; Fig. 2, an elevationof'the same; Fig. 3, a sectional elevation at line a: 00, Fig. 2; Fig.4, a detailed perspective view of the diagonal drive-brace.

Similar numerals of, reference indicate like parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings, 1, represents a side rail, and 2, a step ofastep ladder, joined together in the usual manner.

In the present invention, 3, is the diagonal drive brace, of a flat orother suitable cross section, having drive ends 4: and 5, that areadapted to be driven endwise, into the wood, of the ladder step and siderail, as shown.

6 are flanges or stops near the end of the drive brace, to limit thedepth to which such brace is driven, into the wood of the ladders stepand side rail.

7, are orifices in the drive ends of the drive brace 3, for the passageof a secret cross tie, pin or nail 8, that is driven into the wood ofthe step or side rail, to secretly lock or tie the brace in place. Thebrace may also be secured in place, by causing a corner of the driveends, to project through the wood of the ladder rail and step, andbending down or setting such projecting portion against the wood.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is*

1. As an improved article of manufacture, a diagonal drive brace forstep ladders, provided with drive ends, that are adapted to be forciblydriven, into the wood of the ladder steps and side rails, substantiallyas set forth.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a diagonal drive brace forstep ladders, pro vided with drive ends, having orifices for the passageof cross tie pins or nails, said ends being adapted to be forciblydriven into the wood of the ladder steps and side rails, substantiallyas set forth.

3. As an improved article of manufacture, a diagonal drive brace forstep ladders, provided with drive ends, and stop lugs or flanges, saidends being adapted to be forcibly driven into the wood of the laddersteps and side rails, substantially as set forth.

4. As an improved article of manufacture, a diagonal drive brace forstep ladders, provided with stop lugs or flanges, and drive ends havingorifices for the passage of cross tie pins or nails, said ends beingadapted to be forcibly driven into the wood of the ladder steps and siderails, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof Witness my hand this 4th day of March, 1895.

JOHN T. MILLER.

In presence of- ROBERT BURNS,

GEO. H. ARTHUR.

